Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program spoke on “From Armenia to California: The Odyssey of the San Joaquin Valley Armenians, 1881-2026,” to an audience of residents at the California Vineyards on Friday, January 9, 2026. The talk was part of a series of speakers and events held at the Fresno-based Vineyards.
Der Mugrdechian gave an overview of Armenian immigration to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. Although the first Armenians in the United States arrived more than a century ago, Armenians began immigrating to the United States in large numbers following the 1895-1896 Hamidian massacres. Armenians had already permanently settled in Fresno beginning in 1881, and the community continued to grow with the influx of Armenians from the Ottoman Empire. The early Armenians established themselves in the agricultural field, as well as becoming small businessmen and entrepreneurs. Der Mugrdechian discussed some of the challenges faced by these early immigrants and how they were overcome.
The Armenian community of Fresno was centered near downtown Fresno, but for many years discrimination against Armenians meant that they could not buy homes in certain neighborhoods.
Der Mugrdechian discussed the discriminatory housing deeds, which prevented Armenian from buying homes in those neighborhoods.
By the 1960’s, the legal and social environment had changed, and Armenians began to move northward in the city.
In the second part of his presentation, Prof. Der Mugrdechian discussed how the nature of the Armenian community began to change significantly in the 1960s, especially when later waves of immigrants arrived to California from the Middle East (1960s), Iran (1980s), and Armenia (1991 and after).
Each new group of immigrants has left its mark on the local community.
Armenians in Fresno also established numerous cultural, political, and philanthropic organizations, many of which are still in existence today. These contributed to the maintenance of Armenian identity, even for now fourth and fifth-generation Armenians.
The third part of Prof. Der Mugrdechian’s presentation featured the “Armenian Landmarks of Fresno.” The Armenians of Fresno have left their physical legacy in the form of churches, statues (such as the David of Sassoon statue in downtown Fresno), and the Armenian Ararat and Massis cemeteries. The William Saroyan House Museum is one of the latest of these establishments.
Prof. Der Mugrdechian emphasized that Armenians have made a large contribution to the community life in the San Joaquin Valley.
He shared information about some of Fresno’s most prominent citizens, from politicians, to jurists, and successful businessmen.
Many in the audience interacted with Prof. Der Mugrdechian following the presentation, as they recalled their own experiences living in the area.
The Vineyards-California Armenian Home is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1952 by the local Armenian community, which generously donated 40-acres of land in Fresno, California’s southeast countryside, the building, and the funds to furnish a continuing care retirement community.